A man who chopped down memorial trees and threatened residents with a brick has been banned from his village for 15 years.
Adrian Paul Stairs made his neighbours’ lives a misery in the village of Blisworth, Northamptonshire after a row flared up over a boundary line.
Following the argument, he caused mayhem for years in a row as he used a chainsaw to hack down several mature shrubs and trees planted in tribute to the lost loved ones of his neighbours.
The 59-year-old left his victims with anxiety, fear and despair after persistent anti-social behaviour.
He has now been banned from the Northamptonshire village until 2037 - when will be aged 74 upon his return to Blisworth.
Stairs terrified the peaceful Northants village
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The local Neighbourhood Policing Team supported by the Anti-Social Behaviour Sergeant Wyn Hughes collected evidence to charge Stairs with criminal damage and assault.
An investigation revealed that he had terrorised his neighbours and other residents in the village over a prolonged period.
In their victim impact statements, residents spoke of the impact of Stairs' actions which included pensioners in their 80s who had been targeted by him.
Stairs, who has since moved to Wellingborough, Northants was handed a six-week prison sentence, suspended for 18 months.
He was also handed a restraining order which prevents him from entering Blisworth for 15 years and from contacting the victims in any way.
The nightmare neighbour absconded from court before the sentencing hearing and was arrested and appeared at court again on December 2.
He was given an extra two weeks' prison sentence which was suspended, along with a 60 day rehabilitation order for absconding from court.
The Grand Union Canal runs close to the idyllic village
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Sergeant Wyn Hughes said: “When the victims in this case were informed of the result and the restraining order, it was like a weight was lifted off their shoulders.
“This is something they have struggled with for so long and therefore I am so pleased for them.
"However, there are no real winners in this type of case as the impact upon the victims has been significant and prolonged.
“I hope this case shows our ability to use both criminal and anti-social behaviour legislation in a positive way to protect our residents and keep our communities safer.”
